Afagrilaxia natalensis ( Bellamy, 1986 )

Obořil, Martin & Sekerka, Lukáš, 2025, New species of Afagrilaxia Bílý & Bellamy, 1999 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) from South Africa, Zootaxa 5719 (1), pp. 133-138 : 137-138

Afagrilaxia natalensis ( Bellamy, 1986)

( Figs 3–5, 8–9 , 13–15, 17, 20–21 )

Anthaxia ( Agrilaxia) natalensis Bellamy, 1986: 194 (primary description); Bílý 1997: 95 (catalogue).

Afagrilaxia natalensis : Bílý & Bellamy 1999: 96 (new combination); Bílý 2022: 144 (catalogue).

Type locality. South Africa, Natal , Ndumu Game Reserve, 26.51– 55°S, 32.12– 20°E, 50–100 m a.sl .

Type material examined (photographs only). Holotype, ♀: “ SOUTH AFRICA: Natal / Ndumu Game Reserve / S26.51-55 E32.12-20 / 5-8.XI.84 50-100m [p, w] // CLBellamy, / H. & A. Howden, / R.G. Oberprieler / & C.H. Scholtz [p, w] // ♀ [p, w] // HOLOTYPE / ANTHAXIA [hw] / ( Agrilaxia ) [hw] / natalensis [hw] / C. L. BELLAMY [p, r] // TMSA / COLTYPE / 000073 [r, p]” ( TMSA).

Additional material examined. TANZANIA: Nairobi Bay [Narobi bai / Tanga D.O.Afr], iv.[19]15, 1 ♀, collector not mentioned ( MPPC); 30 km W of Songea, 8.xii.1994, 1 ♂, K. Werner leg. ( NMPC; published by Bílý & Bellamy (1999)) .

Remarks. At the moment, we could study the holotype of A. natalensis only through photographs, but these clearly show that the species is very distinct from the herein described A. magorgori sp. nov. The holotype, although collected in Natal, matches in habitus additional specimens from Tanzania, and the male specimen was compared with the holotype of A. natalensis by the late Svatopluk Bílý. The main discrepancy between the two populations being the shape of the vertex as specimens from Tanzania have it regularly convex, while the holotype has it slightly longitudinally depressed as also described by Bellamy (1986). Otherwise, the important morphological characters are very similar, e.g. terminal emargination of the ventrite V in female, structure of pronotum and body, and general shape. It is quite difficult to evaluate the two populations in more detail as only a few specimens are available and moreover the typical population is only based on a single female. Therefore, we follow opinion of Bílý & Bellamy (1999) and consider both populations conspecific until more material is available for a detailed study. Herein presented figures of genitalia and ventrites V for A. natalensis are based on the two studied specimens from Tanzania.

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Dorsal habitus of Afagrilaxia magorgori Obořil & Sekerka, sp. nov. and A. natalenis (Bellamy, 1986). 1—A. magorgori, male, holotype; 2—A. magorgori, female, allotype; 3—A. natalensis, male from Tanzania; 4—A. natalensis, female from Tanzania; 5—A. natalensis, female, holotype; 6–9—detail of pronota of the respective specimens, males (6, 8) and females (7, 9).

FIGURES 10–21. Afagrilaxia magorgori Obořil & Sekerka, sp. nov. (holotype): 10–12, 16, 18 (allotype): 19; A. natalenis (Bellamy, 1986) (specimens from Tanzania): 13–15, 17, 20–21; 10, 13—aedeagi in dorsal view; 11, 14—penis in dorsal view; 12, 15—aedeagi in lateral view; 16–17—right metatibiae, males; 18, 21—ventrites V, males; 19–20—ventrites V, females.